I noticed after my last post that I will now have to edit my profile with the following changes:
Instead of 22 chickens, we now have 21. -- A fox killed one of our favorite chickens the other night. Poor Dotty, she was so sweet!
Also, instead of 10 cats we now have 8. Eighteen year old Troi died two weeks ago from a tumor under her tongue. And sweet, French kitty Pierre died four days ago from pulmonary edema due to a tumor near his heart. He was only 11, but had a long history of severe health problems.
I cried for two days over Pierre this week. It has been a rough one. I will now go edit my profile..... let's hope this is the end of the deaths around here. I don't think I can take much more!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Decisions...
After reading the book I was talking about in my last post
(Click here to read it), I decided to continue working on the easier, out of print pattern for a simpler jacket. I still used the book to make a few alterations, though, and they worked like a charm!
1. I moved the shoulder dot forward (shoulder roll), took some of the sleeve cap off the back (about 3/8") and added it to the front of the cap.
2. I widened the back yoke to accomodate my rounded back.
3. I took 1 inch off the side seams accross the waist area to make it more of an hourglass shape on the sides.
I know I have yet to post any pictures, and I sincerely apologize. My stupid computer SD slot is not working and I haven't had time to mess around with it so I can post actual pictures of my creations. I promise, promise, promise to get them up by this weekend!
One thing I did discover while working with my peachskin polyester fabric --- never, ever, ever, ever purchase slinky polyester for less than $10 a yard again. It was such a gorgeous red and it was so nice when draped over my arm... however... this type of peachskin poly is completely ruined when you accidentally scratch it with anything harder than your fingertip. I ruined two pieces of it already by dragging it on the corner of my sewing table (which, by the way, is taped off and covered so it is completely smooth). I now have to use some of the original pieces as the lining and recut my back piece. Good thing I bought 5 yards of this crap! I WAS going to make a skirt to match, but I'll be lucky to get the jacket made without ruining it and swearing like a truck driver whenever it touches something. I'll post pictures of the color and the scratches this weekend, too, I promise!
If anyone knows of any help with this type of fabric, let me know. I tried wetting the scratches, but to no avail. I also tried a soft brush to perhaps try to brush them out, thinking that maybe they were like the shine you get with ironing. Nope. Nada. Zip.
I look forward to my next project, that is for sure --- pale, sunflower yellow linen and pastel stripes linen --- a complete wardrobe to mix/match. Dress, jacket, shell, and pants. Oohhh, I can't wait to start on them!
(Click here to read it), I decided to continue working on the easier, out of print pattern for a simpler jacket. I still used the book to make a few alterations, though, and they worked like a charm!
1. I moved the shoulder dot forward (shoulder roll), took some of the sleeve cap off the back (about 3/8") and added it to the front of the cap.
2. I widened the back yoke to accomodate my rounded back.
3. I took 1 inch off the side seams accross the waist area to make it more of an hourglass shape on the sides.
I know I have yet to post any pictures, and I sincerely apologize. My stupid computer SD slot is not working and I haven't had time to mess around with it so I can post actual pictures of my creations. I promise, promise, promise to get them up by this weekend!
One thing I did discover while working with my peachskin polyester fabric --- never, ever, ever, ever purchase slinky polyester for less than $10 a yard again. It was such a gorgeous red and it was so nice when draped over my arm... however... this type of peachskin poly is completely ruined when you accidentally scratch it with anything harder than your fingertip. I ruined two pieces of it already by dragging it on the corner of my sewing table (which, by the way, is taped off and covered so it is completely smooth). I now have to use some of the original pieces as the lining and recut my back piece. Good thing I bought 5 yards of this crap! I WAS going to make a skirt to match, but I'll be lucky to get the jacket made without ruining it and swearing like a truck driver whenever it touches something. I'll post pictures of the color and the scratches this weekend, too, I promise!
If anyone knows of any help with this type of fabric, let me know. I tried wetting the scratches, but to no avail. I also tried a soft brush to perhaps try to brush them out, thinking that maybe they were like the shine you get with ironing. Nope. Nada. Zip.
I look forward to my next project, that is for sure --- pale, sunflower yellow linen and pastel stripes linen --- a complete wardrobe to mix/match. Dress, jacket, shell, and pants. Oohhh, I can't wait to start on them!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Ok, so I gave up for a while...
I got so frustrated with that jacket I was working on, I gave up for several days and decided to make a different jacket, an out of print mccalls that is not as fitted and has only a few pieces. Feeling very inadequate, I went to shopping this week and actually ended up finding the book "Fit for Real People" http://www.amazon.com/Fit-Real-People-Clothes-Pattern/dp/0935278435 by Palmer and Pletsch, the two women who actually created the pattern I was so frustrated with!
To make a long story short, I bought the book after looking through it and realizing that not all of the possible alterations had been given on their pattern and there are two specific problems I have:
1. As a plus size, I have larger arms, but even though I made a change to the pattern for my bigger arm circumference, I should have thought to raise the sleeve cap on the sleeve pattern. It isn't deep enough and when I raised my arms on the toile I made, it pulled across the front and I felt like I couldn't lift my arm all the way. (That SHOULD have been clue 1)
2. I had made the slightly rounded back alteration. As a teacher and previous secretary and bank teller, I have worked with computers and at a desk for many years. However, I didn't think to rotate the arm hole on the pattern. I believe this is actually my biggest problem and after I make the change (on my 3rd toile!) I hope beyond words that it fits correctly.
If anyone else has any other suggestions for me, I'd be happy to try anything because I love, love, love this pattern, but I will be forced to give it up if I can't make the proper alterations. Like I said, that only problem I have now is that the arm isn't fitting well and pulls horizontal creases across my upper chest if I lift my arm while wearing it. Of course, I could just walk around without raising my arms, but what if I need to hail a taxi or something....?
To make a long story short, I bought the book after looking through it and realizing that not all of the possible alterations had been given on their pattern and there are two specific problems I have:
1. As a plus size, I have larger arms, but even though I made a change to the pattern for my bigger arm circumference, I should have thought to raise the sleeve cap on the sleeve pattern. It isn't deep enough and when I raised my arms on the toile I made, it pulled across the front and I felt like I couldn't lift my arm all the way. (That SHOULD have been clue 1)
2. I had made the slightly rounded back alteration. As a teacher and previous secretary and bank teller, I have worked with computers and at a desk for many years. However, I didn't think to rotate the arm hole on the pattern. I believe this is actually my biggest problem and after I make the change (on my 3rd toile!) I hope beyond words that it fits correctly.
If anyone else has any other suggestions for me, I'd be happy to try anything because I love, love, love this pattern, but I will be forced to give it up if I can't make the proper alterations. Like I said, that only problem I have now is that the arm isn't fitting well and pulls horizontal creases across my upper chest if I lift my arm while wearing it. Of course, I could just walk around without raising my arms, but what if I need to hail a taxi or something....?
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
No pictures
Ok. So I lied. I wasn't able to post my pics of my linen pants. Unfortunately, my computer's SD card slot isn't working and I can't get the pics off of my digital camera. Grrr. It is frustrating to say the least. I will get pics up as soon as possible. I swear.
On a sewing note -- after finishing the linen pants, I made a crinkled cotton pair of pants from the same pattern I created, and now I'm working on a McCall's pattern M5597( http://www.mccallpattern.com/item/M5597.htm?tab=sportswear_suits_jackets_coats&page=2 ) I'm almost done with the toile, after having to make several adjustments to the back, sleeves, and front bust dart. The pattern is really nice, but the sizing, even for a fitted pattern, seems to run about a size too small. And, if you have a bust larger than about 38, don't bother using the size 20 or 22. You will probably have to rework the pattern like I did.
On a sewing note -- after finishing the linen pants, I made a crinkled cotton pair of pants from the same pattern I created, and now I'm working on a McCall's pattern M5597( http://www.mccallpattern.com/item/M5597.htm?tab=sportswear_suits_jackets_coats&page=2 ) I'm almost done with the toile, after having to make several adjustments to the back, sleeves, and front bust dart. The pattern is really nice, but the sizing, even for a fitted pattern, seems to run about a size too small. And, if you have a bust larger than about 38, don't bother using the size 20 or 22. You will probably have to rework the pattern like I did.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Sew much fabric sew little time
I began sewing when I was much younger, but gave it up when I became too busy with life. The last two years, however, I realized that I needed to make time for the little things in life that I enjoy "sew" much! Sewing was one of them. I'm a teacher, though, with a son, and I haven't had much time to teach myself the techniques and skills I want. The last few months have been dedicated to doing just this.
Just this month I created my own "made to fit" pants pattern and with it I finished my first pair of linen wide-leg pants. I hand stitched everything before finishing it on the machine. I am so thrilled with the details I put into it. Being a plus size (pattern size 22, ready-to-wear size 18), it has always been very hard to find pants that fit well. I'm also very short (5' 4") so this made it even more difficult.
Tomorrow I'll post a picture of them on me. This weekend I'm just finishing up another pair of the pants, this time in light blue crinkle cotton. Then it is time to start my business suit. I am looking for a new teaching position and I need something to wear during interviews (hopefully I get some!). I chose a silky polyester in cranberry red. The pattern I chose is McCalls M5597 (you can see it here: http://www.mccallpattern.com/item/M5597.htm?tab=sportswear_suits_jackets_coats&page=2 ). I should have the pattern cut and ready to be pinned on to the dress form by Sunday (if I don't spend the weekend outside or going to see Terminator -- last weekend I saw Star Trek , awesome, by the way!). I've never done a lined jacket before so this ought to be interesting! I will keep you all posted (with pics, too) as I progress through it. Wish me luck!
Just this month I created my own "made to fit" pants pattern and with it I finished my first pair of linen wide-leg pants. I hand stitched everything before finishing it on the machine. I am so thrilled with the details I put into it. Being a plus size (pattern size 22, ready-to-wear size 18), it has always been very hard to find pants that fit well. I'm also very short (5' 4") so this made it even more difficult.
Tomorrow I'll post a picture of them on me. This weekend I'm just finishing up another pair of the pants, this time in light blue crinkle cotton. Then it is time to start my business suit. I am looking for a new teaching position and I need something to wear during interviews (hopefully I get some!). I chose a silky polyester in cranberry red. The pattern I chose is McCalls M5597 (you can see it here: http://www.mccallpattern.com/item/M5597.htm?tab=sportswear_suits_jackets_coats&page=2 ). I should have the pattern cut and ready to be pinned on to the dress form by Sunday (if I don't spend the weekend outside or going to see Terminator -- last weekend I saw Star Trek , awesome, by the way!). I've never done a lined jacket before so this ought to be interesting! I will keep you all posted (with pics, too) as I progress through it. Wish me luck!
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